Deputies chase Covelo pickup carrying pot

When sheriff's deputies attempted to stop a speeding pickup with marijuana plants in its bed on Highway 162 last Thursday night, the driver sped up and led them on a short but speedy chase.

Deputies caught up with the pickup in a driveway on Agency Road in Covelo. The driver, 63-year-old Linda Britton of Covelo, was arrested on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale and recklessly evading a peace officer. Her two passengers, Colleen Downy, 37, and Kerra Stillwell, 22, were cited for possession of marijuana for sale and released.

Deputies learned the eight marijuana plants in the pickup had been eradicated earlier in the day from tribal lands by Round Valley Tribal Police. The plants had been left at the Round Valley Tribal Natural Resources Department yard for destruction. The suspects told deputies they intended to sell the marijuana and split the proceeds between them.

Deputies estimate the plants would have yielded about six pounds of bud.